Characterizing the One Health workforce to promote interdisciplinary, multisectoral approaches in global health...

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Public Health
• One Health Initiative

Background:

• The interconnected nature of global challenges like COVID-19 necessitates a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach known as One Health.
• Significant investments have been made in global health capacity, yet a clear characterization of the One Health workforce is lacking in scientific literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze perspectives on the One Health workforce from students, graduates, workers, and employers.
• To identify essential competencies, workplace challenges, and retention strategies for One Health professionals.

Main Methods:

• A multinational online survey was conducted across various health disciplines and sectors.
• 828 respondents from 66 countries participated, including students, academics, and government professionals.

Main Results:

• Interpersonal communication, non-scientific audience engagement, and transdisciplinary teamwork are vital competencies.
• Employers face recruitment difficulties, while workers report limited job availability.
• Limited funding and unclear career pathways hinder One Health worker retention.

Conclusions:

• Successful One Health professionals integrate interpersonal skills with scientific knowledge to tackle complex health issues.
• Standardizing the definition of One Health and clarifying roles within transdisciplinary teams can improve workforce development.
• The One Health approach holds significant promise for advancing Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing global health security.